Philippines: The killing goes on

1 February 1992, Index number: ASA 35/001/1992

Since 1988 at least 550 unarmed people have been killed by government or government-backed forces in the Philippines. The killings occur in the context of counter-insurgency measures against armed opposition groups, e. g. the NPA, themselves responsible for human rights abuses. The victims include suspected members of the armed opposition, members of tribal communities, urban poor activists, trade unionists, church workers, human rights lawyers, peasant activists, farmers, women, children and old people. The bodies of some victims bore signs of severe torture. This report addresses the issue of responsibility for the killings, the context of these violations (including killings by armed groups) the problem of impunity and the government's human rights record.